You don't have time to take a vacation to the Caribbean this year? No 

worries! Tropical mixed drinks are an excellent way to get the feel of a tropical beach without having to spend a few grand to make it happen.

A couple tiki torches, a package of paper umbrellas, a lounge chair or two added to the ingredients needed to make these tropical drink recipes at your home bar.

Tropical mixed drinks often include juice, fruit garnishes, amaretto, coconut, rum and lots of ice.

Nutty Colada

This tropical mixed drink is best served in a Collins glass with a funky straw and is sure to soothe your blues away. Combine three ounces of amaretto almond liqueur with three tablespoons of coconut milk. Then crush about three tablespoons of pineapple and blend everything together until smooth.

Tropical Breeze

The pinnacle of tropical mixed drinks, a "Tropical Breeze" should be served in a clear highball glass to show off its colors. Combine one shot of Bacardi, one shot of Curacao and one shot of coconut rum with two ounces of lime juice and three ounces of orange juice. Pour the mixture over a healthy dose of ice and stir with a straw. Voila! You have a tropical breeze, regardless of where you live.

Hawaiian King

You can have this drink even if you live in Alaska, and you'll feel like you've just been crowned on the beautiful beaches of Oahu. This is perfect for the drinking enthusiast who prefers to throw 'em back rather than sip. Simply drop half a shot of Crown Royal in a shot glass and follow with half a shot of pineapple liqueur.

Wave Rider

For the classier mixed drink occasion, the Wave Rider is served in a cocktail glass with your favorite fruit garnish. Simply combine two shots of Captain Morgan's Parrot Bay with two ounces of grapefruit juice and two ounces of pineapple juice. Pour over crushed ice in a cocktail glass and add a couple tablespoons of cranberry juice for good measure.

These tropical mixed drinks are all well and good, but I encourage you to experiment with your favorite alcohol. Mixed drinks are always more fun when you have concocted them yourself, and tropical beverages are as much about the garnishes and color as they are about taste!

My only advice: Make new tropical drink concoctions in small quantities first. If you try it and love it, invite your friends.

Written by Steve Thompson